Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-11

4 PARADox m fHE rxroKr TRADE AND ms r.
PLANTATION.

PLANTATION
A paradox has been shown IN our import trade
during the months that have passed OF this fiscal
year that has puzzled economists 20 account for
The increase OF the customs collected for the
eieven months was In round numbers, 81, COO ooo.
while the increase In the value OF imports has
oeen only approximately 10000 600. The in-
crease OF the duties, thus, has been in extra
ordinary proportion 20 the increase OF values TIE
average amount OF duties Is 20 per cent OF the
values but during this period the increase OF
customs mas amounted TO about 90 per cent OF the
increase In values. This IL 90 remarkable that
secretary Fairchild directed Mr. Whitney, OF ths
bureau OF statistics 70 make
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CUSTOMS REPORTS.
some economists have attempted 70 explain the
puzzle upon the theory tina; the department has
.,.l mo'e careful In the collection OF duties but
this Mr. Farchild saws IS clearly not the couse az
Vie result OF more rigid collection OF duties would
s propor1ionate increase OF values and duties
dacreRa y, s ehpianatlon Is that there has been
49,, 49, IN lhe low rate ad yalorem Imports aud
iasge increase In the importation OF goods taxed
sc a. c ngnest rates There Is great BUSINESS
OF goods OF the highest dutabIe value has
% as 10 make it profitable 20 bring the coods fn,m
s'oieieh country and pay the duty on them
INCREASED DEMAND FOR STEEL RAus
FOR instance, the demand for steel rails upou
which an extremely high SPECIFIC duty Is ,a,a has
oeen iar In excess OF the supply this year. and the
prices nave Increased 70 such point that large
QUANTITIES have been imported. There has bacn a
S SssSs acusity N railroad construction and ne
Puts ano there have been Sc, 900 pounds mory of
sseei rails imported this year than last. Ia July
ol tne nscai year 6 81 the price OF steel rails Der
ION was sSAs so. and In March, 81 it had Increased
70 $3.50. March OF the year 's6 the price Wa
..Sa ms large increase In the price has caused
sne increased importation, the prices abroad hav.
Ane iaien irom ABOUT $40 10 $40 per ton.
THE FALL IN SUGAR PRIcEa
Another thing that Mr. whitneys analy,is win
hhow mas had something TO DO with causing the
ereat proportion OF increase In duties over values
IS sns failing on OF the price OF sugar. which "a
. anea py SPECIFIC duty. During the ten months
crease OF 342, 100000 pounds OF sugar importedL
an ana me duties being SPECIFIC were increased
yo ss oUS while the value OF the whole import
as ony 90, 100000, against e54 800 600 for the
; amount the year before. There was fan.
NV on IA Value OF about " cent on the pound.
ma MAKING the value about IN cents per pound whiIs
tue duty remained At 2 cents. other Items show a
pay high duty. s- ~'
THE GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE or r
.nae 'nere Is great industrial and business 40
tiVlty In this country, and that the demands ara
wen up 70 or exceeding the supplies 30 that prices
are increasing. All OF which means the general
Ment OF the people. Other signs Indicate A
There s sSS =, plusperty throughout the country
e gM M0rng people In the country who are out u
employment at present. There is always Ger.
80 !. Va enooc " no 10 not want 70 work.
snd lew are voluntarily out on strikes but asidS
A'on tnis they arc generally employed
NOT MUCH PRESSURE ON MEMBERS or CONGRESS-
members OF Congress with whom the STAR re.
porter has been talking say that the good condi.
ZION OK Affairs Is strik1ngly shown In the reduced
NUMBER OF applications they get from persons
wishing assistance TO get employment. Member
NM when times are hard have hundreds or appli-
Sseions Irom laOorers TO get them employment In
INC nav sios ana various branches Of the Gov
ctnucnt service, and Tor assistance I'm other ways
saS Iaat they get no such applications now There
% Socai W pe very Few persons seeking employment
IN Ut OUT OF The Government service There IL n
cSmiortable condition OF industry and prosperity
throughout the country fN'f"